Petite Cocktail Dresses

Rules for Petite Dressing

Always remember you can never go wrong with the basic little black dress. Petites can get lost in bold prints, so try to stick with solid colors or smaller patterns. A single shade from head to toe is most flattering for a petite frame. Try to find a cocktail dress that hits right at the knee or slightly above to elongate your leg. A mid-calf length dress can make you look shorter while a long dress is perfectly acceptable.

Best Styles for Petites

You may ask what is the best dress for my body shape. Simple, tailored styles work best for petites. Avoid dresses with too much fabric, frills or puffy sleeves. These styles are too much on a smaller figure. Empire-waist dresses are very flattering for petites, because the waistline hits right beneath the breast, your torso and legs appear longer. Empire-waist dresses create an illusion of height and can hide many lower body flaws. The flowing fabric seen in empire-waist dresses is both figure-flattering and comfortable.

Sheath and tie-back waist styles both work well since they are close fitting to the body and have straighter, cleaner lines. They create a slimming silhouette that will make you appear taller. Sheath and tie-back waist dresses are often made from cotton or silk and fall right above or at the knee. They promote a very feminine look and are flattering on any figure.

An A-Line style dress is another option for petites. This cut can add fullness to a slender shape and give you more definition. An A-Line dress skims the hips and widens at the bottom. There is little definition at the waist.

Try to avoid styles that are belted at the waist or draw attention to your center. These styles will only accentuate the fact that you are shorter.

Accessories to Compliment Your Petite Cocktail Dresses

The right accessories are essential to any outfit. When pairing accessories with your petite cocktail dress try to wear something simple and not too large for your size. Larger pieces can be out of proportion to your size. Oversized medallions and necklaces draw attention to a shorter waistline while chokers bring the eye up and create a longer look.

Heels are very flattering for petites. They should be at least two inches or more to elongate your leg. Pointy-toed shoes work best for petites. Try to avoid chunky styles or squared off toed shoes. Ankle straps can bring attention to your leg and make it look shorter since the strap cuts into the leg. If you choose to wear hose, try to match your hose to the shade of your shoes and dress. This will create a leaner look and make you look taller.

Oversized handbags are not the best choice for a petite frame. A small clutch often looks best and can complement your petite frame.

Where to Buy

The perfect cocktail dress can often be found in your favorite department store. Larger department stores, such as Macy’s or JC Penney, have sections devoted just to petites. Hiding in the racks may be the dress of your dreams. You can choose among designers like INC Petites, Michael Kors Petites, Ann Klein Petites and Jones New York Petites, among many others. If shopping at your local mall is not what you are looking for, these stores offer online shopping as well.

There are also specific stores that cater only to petites. Casual Corner Petites, Ann Taylor Petites, BCBG Max Azria Petites and Petite Sophisticate carry sizes 0-14 and have many dresses available both online and in their stores. There are endless options available to petites.

Celebrity Petites

You may not realize that some of the best-dressed stars are petite women. In fact, some of the most fabulous Oscar dresses have been worn by petites. The following are some stylish petites:

• Eva Longoria-Parker
• Paula Abdul
• Christina Aguilera
• Christina Ricci

Summary

You can find fabulous petite cocktail dresses by remembering to wear what looks best for your shape and style. Keep it simple. The latest trends don't flatter everyone. Confidence can make any woman look glamorous and feel like a million dollars!